Dawson The Match-Winner For Trotters

A goal inside the opening five minutes from Craig Dawson settled this npower Championship encounter at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton Wanderers recorded a 1-0 win over Peterborough United.

Darren Ferguson's men made a disastrous start, conceding inside the opening four minutes as a corner swung into the near post was headed past Bobby Olejnik by West Bromwich Albion loanee Craig DAWSON.

Grant McCann saw a swerving effort from 25-yards clutched by goalkeeper Bogdan moments later as Posh tried to respond immediately to the obvious setback of conceding so early in the encounter.

Bobby Olejnik produced a stunning save to deny the impressive Lee on 20 minutes after Bolton caught Posh out on the counter-attack. Bolton were dealt a blow when the influential Mark Davies was forced off the field with injury. However, despite appearing to need a stretcher, he gave it a go and was reintroduced into the action, albeit for a minute before giving way to Stuart Holden.

Olejnik made a reactionary save from point-blank range to deny Pratley following a left-wing corner before Ngog glanced a header wide from close-range. Petrucci was forced off with a reoccurance of his hamstring injury on 42 minutes with Jack Payne introduced.

On the stroke of half-time, Mendez-Laing squandered a presentable opportunity to score six-yards out, but he scuffed his effort well wide of the target.

Craig Davies replaced the hard-working Marvin Sordell on the hour mark for the Trotters as Dougie Freedman made his first switch.

Swanson fired wide from distance after a good spell of possession from Posh with the home faithful becoming increasingly nervous.
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Ngog fired wide of the target on 73 minutes before Joe Newell replaced Swanson. Kevin Davies was introduced by Bolton Wanderers.

Alonso saw a shot blocked before firing a whisker away from the far post with Olejnik rooted to the spot. A trademark burst from Rowe saw him exchange passes with Tomlin, but his left-foot shot was comfortable for Bogdan.

Craig Alcock replaced Little on 86 minutes as Bolton continued to protect their early 1-0 lead.